Model report · 2005–2025
KAWASAKI KE125
124cc
Petrol
Class 1
73.6%
first-time pass rate
15.4%
failed outright
9,496
median miles at test
382
MOT tests, 2005–2025
What fails on a KE125
failure defects by component group · advisories excluded
| Component group | Share of defects | Defects | % of defects |
|---|---|---|---|
| lighting and signalling |
|
75 | 43.6 |
| lamps and reflectors |
|
30 | 17.4 |
| brakes |
|
22 | 12.8 |
| steering and suspension |
|
13 | 7.6 |
| tyres and wheels |
|
9 | 5.2 |
| tyres |
|
6 | 3.5 |
| drive system |
|
5 | 2.9 |
| Items Not Tested |
|
4 | 2.3 |
| body and structure |
|
4 | 2.3 |
| steering |
|
4 | 2.3 |
Defects recorded against failed normal tests, 2005–2025, grouped by DVSA inspection section. One test can record multiple defects.
How rivals compare
same type, similar capacity, high test volume
On first-time pass rate the KE125 beats 4 of its 4 closest rivals (YAMAHA YBR 125, HONDA CG125, HONDA CBF125).
YAMAHA
YBR 125
71.0% pass · 125k tests
HONDA
CG125
72.2% pass · 89.3k tests
HONDA
CBF125
73.3% pass · 84.4k tests
GILERA
RUNNER
70.8% pass · 69.9k tests
Rivals share this bike's type and sit within ±30% of its engine capacity, ≥ 5,000 tests. Card colour = better/worse first-time pass rate than the KE125.
Pass rate by registration year
how each model-year cohort fares · registration year from first use date
Best year to buy used: 1986 (70.5% pass). Weakest: 1984 (67.7%).
First-time pass rate by the year each bike was first registered (cohorts with ≥ 50 tests). Older cohorts are survivors: the worst examples have already left the road, which tends to lift the earliest years.